Applying for a Grant

The National Geographic Society (NGS) awards grants for scientific field research and exploration through its Committee for Research and Exploration (CRE). All proposed projects must have both a geographical dimension and relevance to other scientific fields and be of broad scientific interest. Applications are generally limited to the following disciplines: anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, biology, botany, geography, geology, oceanography, paleontology, and zoology.

In addition, the Committee is currently emphasizing multidisciplinary projects that address environmental issues (e.g., loss of biodiversity and habitat, effects of human-population pressures).

Funding is not restricted to United States citizens. Researchers planning work in foreign countries should include at least one local collaborator as part of their research teams. The Committee will not consider applications seeking support solely for laboratory work or archival research. While grants are awarded on the basis of scientific merit and exist independent of the Society’s other divisions, grant recipients are expected to provide the Society with rights-of-first-refusal for popular publication of their findings.

This grant program does not pay educational tuition, nor does it offer scholarships or fellowships of any kind.

Eligibility

Applicants are expected to have advanced degrees (Ph.D. or equivalent) and be associated with an educational organization or institution. Independent researchers or those pursuing a Ph.D.-level degree may apply, but competition is keen and awards to non-Ph.D. applicants are rare. As a general rule, all applicants are expected to have published a minimum of three articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Back

Grant Amounts

While grant amounts vary greatly, most range from U.S. $15,000 to $20,000. There is no set quantity of grants awarded, but budget constraints keep the number to approximately 250 per year.

As National Geographic Society funds are intended to function as complimentary support, the Committee strongly encourages applicants to seek additional, concurrent funding from other funding agencies. Committee grants tend to act as seed money and are given for one year’s research. There may be an exceptional occasion that the Committee will fund, at most, two years of research. If the principal investigator feels that there are distinctive and substantive reasons for submitting a two-year application, he/she must understand that competition is keen and awards for two years are scarce. Back

Grant Restrictions

Society grants may not be used for expenses that are not directly related to the project: Fringe benefits for any individual or institution are excluded, as are salaries for those with faculty status, or any other paid professional affiliation. Funds may not be used for travel to scientific/professional meetings or conferences, nor to publish research results.

Society funds may be used for transportation, supplies, and daily subsistence. Capital equipment (generally defined as any item costing more than U.S. $500) must be individually justified, and in certain circumstances, returned to the Society upon the project’s conclusion. Only in unusual cases is funding allowed for computer equipment or vehicles. Laboratory expenses are acceptable, provided the laboratory work is a logical extension of the field research. Back

Obtaining an Application Form

Applying for a grant from the Committee for Research and Exploration is a two-step process.

Step 1: Pre-Application

Before receiving an application form, each principal investigator must submit a pre-application form online. There are a few things you should know before doing so:

• The pre-application form can be completed in multiple sessions. You will be allowed to save your work and complete it at another time.
• If you have any questions about the online pre-application form, Please email cre@ngs.org.
• You will be asked to upload an electronic copy of your curriculum vitae while completing the form. Instructions will be provided.
• Please make sure that your browser is configured to receive cookies.
• This system works best on Internet Explorer 5.5 and Netscape 6.0 or later.

The Committee for Research and Exploration accepts pre-applications throughout the year. Please submit your pre-application at least ten months prior to anticipated field dates. Within eight weeks, the principal investigator will receive a decision. If the pre-application is approved, the principal investigator will be sent an email with a link to complete their full application online.

Fill Out a Pre-application >>

Step 2: Application

After receiving the application, the principal investigator must complete and submit their application online. There are a few things you should know before doing so:

• The Committee for Research and Exploration accepts applications throughout the year. However, please allow eight months from the CRE's receipt of your application for the Committee to formally review and consider it.
• Previous grantees must first comply with all prior report and financial accounting obligations before submitting applications for additional support.
• Grants funded by the CRE are for one year’s work in field and laboratory.

We strongly encourage electronic submission of all documents. If this is not possible, please submit your information to the following address:

Committee for Research and Exploration
National Geographic Society
1145 17th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20090-8249
U.S.A.